Philosophical Grading Question - 33 Ruth #144
 

I said what the hell last weekend and won this last week from the Uncle Jimmy Collection Ruth. I have seen some pretty rough ones being sold, so I figured this had some nice eye appeal. I am not selling it, but figured I would ask some experts.

Without looking at the clubhouse signature, what do you think the card would grade?

Attachment 442976

Sorry to bring some bad news, but PSA / BGS / SGC won't grade just the card with the secretarial auto on it. I just tried with one of my higher end cards. They won't slab the card even authentic.

As Pete noted the reality, for the philosophy of the question I would say a "4" provided that top edge isn't trimmed.

I would've said 4.5, but you'll need to tell us if there are any creases/surface wrinkles. These often don't show up in scans like that, and definitely factor into the grade.

Definitely for the better, that PSA won't grade it... The card won't be absent from your collection for 10+ months, you won't risk damage or loss in shipping, you'll save yourself lots of money, and you won't have to see their negative assessment on the flip every time you look at it.

I submitted a question regarding this subject to PSA some time ago. I specifically asked if PSA would grade a card with an inauthentic signature as a regular card, albeit with a MK qualifier.
This is the response I received

Thank you for contacting PSA Customer Service. We apologize for our delayed response.

If you submit the card for card authentication/grading only and it has writing on it, it will be graded with the MK qualifier. I would suggest adding notes under the 'Submission Comments/Requests' on your Online Submission form so that our authenticators are aware of the inauthentic autograph on your cards.

Thanks, I know and understand that. Makes perfect sense.

Not that can see with the naked eye. I agree and look forward to enjoying it.

Thanks

This is pretty stupid of them. First, they're actually willing to slab it with a MK qualifier. Second, you have to tell them the auto is fake... ;-)

If they are going to slab this card with a number grade, they need to put something on the flip like "AUTOGRAPH NOT AUTHENTIC" or buyers are going to get confused and people are going to try and pawn it off as real.

Based on communication with Chuck/Stacey PSA would not slab like the others. Not sure if the work around as suggested above was discussed, but I would think if something was marked “Authentic” that would be confusing. An interesting situation in general.

The PSA response I quoted in post #6 above came from a Hector Ortega.